WTF News- May 30th

Happy Friday!

 

 

It looks like tomorrow is going to be another nice day to come out to the markets!

 

Many moons ago a young kid answered our call for help at the farmers markets.  When he's not off traveling around the country and the world, Joe Andry has become a fixture in the WTF trailer at Davidson hunting up sausages, burgers, and chicken with a smile on his face.  Unfortunately it has come time for us to get rid of him and replace him with a newer model sausage fetcher.  Actually he's leaving to take a summer job guiding wilderness campers in the mountains of NC and then heading to England for an educational exchange program.  So we hope that you all will come by and bid Joe a fond farewell tomorrow. 

 

Davidson Farmers Market 8am-Noon 

 

Salisbury Farmers Market  8-Noon 

 

We'll be restocked on chickens June 7.  

 

 

SAVE THE DATE Sunday June 29 & make plans to attend the 1st annual Bacon & Brews Cruise In at Atherton.  Come out and watch Chefs, Brewmasters, & Car Enthusiasts Compete to see who can bring home the bacon.  For tickets and details check out  www.baconbrewscruisein.com 

 

For our Charlotte Peeps- Don't forget that we are keeping some items stocked at Greeneman Farms in the 7th Street Market.  They usually keep a variety of WTF products including our sausages, hotdogs, ham steaks, and chicken.  There are also a few nice racks of WTF lamb & some fresh rosemary sprigs down there that would make an excellent dinner for someone.  If they don't keep what you want in stock, we'll be glad to drop off an order for you there so you can pick it up at your convenience.  

 

Don't forget to check out our Wild Turkey Farms Facebook page and "like" us to get the most up to date info.

    

 

We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.

300 East- Charlotte

Greeneman Farms @ 7th Street Market- Charlotte

Pure Pizza @ 7th St Market - Charlotte

Whiskey Warehouse- Charlotte

Fork- Cornelius

Napa On Providence - Charlotte

The Asbury at The Dunhill Hotel- Charlotte

The Wineshop at Foxcroft- Charlotte

The Pickled Peach- Davidson

Heirloom- Charlotte

The Prickly Pear- Mooresville

 

Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

 

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie

Wild Turkey Farms LLC

China Grove, NC

Pig Post

 

This picture doesn't do justice to the amount of mud that was on this sow.  The sows were enjoying a nice mud bath when they saw that their supper was about to be served.

 

Here are some young pigs enjoying their version of a swimming/mud pool.

This pig decided he would rather sit in his water & enjoy it rather than drink it.

Muddy face...can you guess what he's been doing?

WTF Poultry Processing Workshop

Last week WTF along with the Rowan Cooperative Extension hosted a hands-on workshop on processing chickens on the farm.  The class covered regulations, poultry anatomy, equipment & techniques needed to process & sell chickens from your farm.

 

The class varied from families that had backyard chickens they wanted to process for themselves to individuals who hoped to raise & process chickens to sell.  There were chefs, Extension employees, & even a couple of kids in the group.

 

Lee talked for a while about raising chickens & processing then the fun began.  Anyone who wanted the opportunity for "hands-on" training got their chance.

 

The partipants learned how to humanely slaughter the chickens, scald, pluck & eviscerate.

 

A few pictures from the workshop

 

Lee talking to the group

Thomas-

Rowan County Livestock Agent

A couple of our class participants scalding chickens

Next came the plucking

 The chicken after being scalded & plucked

The Grand Finale

 

 

We hope everyone had a great time & learned a lot at the workshop!

 

 

*****

On-Farm Processing Poultry: Tips for Safe Handling in the Summer

 

Provided by N.C. Choices

NC Choices is a program of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems' (CEFS) that advances local and niche meat supply chains in North Carolina by providing networking opportunities, educational programming and technical assistance for producers, meat processors, buyers and food professionals. CEFS is a partnership of NC State University, NC A&T State University and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

 

www.ncchoices.com

Cooking From the Farmer's Market- Strawberries

 

My family has gone through about 8 gallons of strawberries in the past month.  The majority we have eaten but as always I have to put some in the freezer to enjoy later in the year. 

 

So if you wanted to freeze strawberries what would you need to do.

 

First, local strawberries

Second, a cute little helper

After washing the strawberries & cutting them

Line a baking sheet (or 5) with wax paper & place the strawberries in a single layer

Sprinkle with sugar (if desired)

Freeze until solid

Package & Label

Just wanted to make a quick note about labeling your bounty.  I normally write on my packages the item & amount, the year & what farm I got the fruit/vegetable from.

 

 

I don't always measure out what I freeze but with the berries I find it easier this way.

 

You can also freeze other berries in this way too.

 



 

This website is a great resource:

http://www.pickyourown.org/strawberries_freezing.htm

 

 

Strawberries purchased from

Twin Oaks Farm

China Grove, NC

 

WTF News- May 24th

Happy Friday!

 

 

It looks like tomorrow is going to be another nice day to come out to the markets!  Don't forget to come out and stock up on grilling items like burgers, brats, and hotdogs for your Memorial Day cookout. 

 

Davidson Farmers Market 8am-Noon 

 

Salisbury Farmers Market  8-Noon 

 

We'll be restocked on chickens June 7.  

 

 

SAVE THE DATE Sunday June 29 & make plans to attend the 1st annual Bacon & Brews Cruise In at Atherton.  Come out and watch Chefs, Brewmasters, & Car Enthusiasts Compete to see who can bring home the bacon.  More details to come.  

 

For our Charlotte Peeps- Don't forget that we are keeping some items stocked at Greeneman Farms in the 7th Street Market.  They usually keep a variety of WTF products including our sausages, hotdogs, ham steaks, and chicken.  There are also a few nice racks of WTF lamb & some fresh rosemary sprigs down there that would make an excellent dinner for someone.  If they don't keep what you want in stock, we'll be glad to drop off an order for you there so you can pick it up at your convenience.  

 

Don't forget to check out our Wild Turkey Farms Facebook page and "like" us to get the most up to date info.

    

 

We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.

300 East- Charlotte

Greeneman Farms @ 7th Street Market- Charlotte

Pure Pizza @ 7th St Market - Charlotte

Whiskey Warehouse- Charlotte

Fork- Cornelius

Napa On Providence - Charlotte

The Asbury at The Dunhill Hotel- Charlotte

The Wineshop at Foxcroft- Charlotte

The Pickled Peach- Davidson

Heirloom- Charlotte

The Prickly Pear- Mooresville

 

Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

 

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie

Wild Turkey Farms LLC

China Grove, NC

Whole Hog Dinner

Last night was the part of this job that I love.  We are so fortunate to work with many talented chefs & restaurants owners and often times when they do special events especially events where they use WTF products they invite us.

 

Last night we were at Passion8 Bistro for a 5-course Whole Hog Dinner.  Every course featured WTF pork.

 

 

The Chefs & the farmer

 

The menu



 

 

Sous Vide Pig Shoulder

Spring Vegetables, Ramp Relish, Burnt Cashew Butter, Pea Shoots

 

 

Belly & Loin Duo

Oyster Mushrooms, Herb Risotto, Beet Puree, Snap Peas

 

 

36 Hour Ham

Roasted Potato Salad, Baby Turnips, Cherry Glaze, Fennel & Mint Creme Fraiche

Birthday Boy!

If you happen to see this sweet boy today make sure to wish Panda Bear a Happy 14th birthday!!

 

 

He was just a puppy when Lee & I started seeing each other all those years ago.  He is such a sweet boy & I always promised him that one day I would have some boys that would love him & play with him (& they do...we all do)!

 

 

Through the years he has gotten a little slower, can't see as well & can't hear but he is still my boy!

 

Love you Panda, hope you have a Happy Birthday!!!!

Cooking From the Farmer's Market- Collards

 

I love collards!  So much so I can collards every year so we can enjoy them all year long.  Canning collards is a long & tedious process but so worth it especially when in the summer we are enjoying a Wild Turkey Farms ham steak with collards & sweet potatoes (that I freeze every year...that will be a fall post).

 

Someone had told me that they always freeze collards that they had never canned them so I decided to do a test batch with these early spring collards that were provided to me by Correll Farms.

 

I do suggest that if you have never "frozen" vegetables that you call your local Cooperative Extension Office & they can provided you with information that you need to assist you in preserving fruits and/or vegetables.

 

I have several canning books that I use as reference books such as Canning & Preserving for Dummies.

 

 

Start with collards that you wash

Then cut out the stem & cut collards into pieces

Transfer to boiling water to blanch the collards

Then place collards in cold water to help to stop the blanching process

We have a vacuum sealer that I used but you could also you freezer bags or other freezable containers.

 

 

This is my first time freezing collards so I am anxious to see how they taste versus the collards than I usually can. 

 

Stay tuned & I'll let you know how they are after we eat them!

WTF News- May 16th

Happy Friday!

 

 

It looks like tomorrow is going to be another nice day to come out to the markets!

 

Davidson Farmers Market 8am-Noon 

 

Salisbury Farmers Market  8-Noon 

            it's Strawberry Shortcake day at the SFM so bring the kids and enjoy some local berries and shortcakes

 

We're restocked on our delicious German & Beer Brats, & Smoked Anduilee

 

Come try our new hot chorizo at the market tomorrow.  We have a limited quantity so get it while we got it.

 

Don't forget to stock up on our smoked Polish and Maple Breakfast Links while we have them. THEY ARE GETTING TO BE IN SHORT SUPPLY SO STOCK UP NOW

 

 

 

 

There are lots of cool things going on in the next couple weeks that Wild Turkey Farms is participating in

 

Passion 8 Bistro in Rock Hill is having a whole hog dinner Wednesday May 21 at 6:30 featuring our pork.  5 courses for $62 and it's guaranteed to be delicious.  Call (803) 802-7455 for reservations

 

The Bread Riot's Annual Riot in The Pasture May 18 3-7pm at Morgan Ridge Vineyards - Another great family day of local food & fun.  www.breadriot.org

 

 

Wild Turkey Farms Poultry Processing Workshop- May 22 4-7pm-  We are working with Rowan Cooperative Extension to host a hands on workshop on processing chickens on the farm.  We'll cover the regulations, equipment, & techniques needed to slaughter & sell chickens from your farm.  This will be hands on with very limited space and is only $20.  To reserve a spot at the workshop call Rowan Cooperative Extension office 704-216-8970 by May 19.

 

SAVE THE DATE Sunday June 29 & make plans to attend the 1st annual Bacon & Brews Cruise In at Atherton.  Come out and watch Chefs, Brewmasters, & Car Enthusiasts Compete to see who can bring home the bacon.  More details to come.  

 

For our Charlotte Peeps- Don't forget that we are keeping some items stocked at Greeneman Farms in the 7th Street Market.  They usually keep a variety of WTF products including our sausages, hotdogs, ham steaks, and chicken.  There are also a few nice racks of WTF lamb & some fresh rosemary sprigs down there that would make an excellent dinner for someone.  If they don't keep what you want in stock, we'll be glad to drop off an order for you there so you can pick it up at your convenience.  

 

Don't forget to check out our Wild Turkey Farms Facebook page and "like" us to get the most up to date info.

    

 

We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.

300 East- Charlotte

Greeneman Farms @ 7th Street Market- Charlotte

Pure Pizza @ 7th St Market - Charlotte

Whiskey Warehouse- Charlotte

Fork- Cornelius

Napa On Providence - Charlotte

The Asbury at The Dunhill Hotel- Charlotte

The Wineshop at Foxcroft- Charlotte

The Pickled Peach- Davidson

Heirloom- Charlotte

The Prickly Pear- Mooresville

 

Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

 

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie

Wild Turkey Farms LLC

China Grove, NC

Strawberry Shortcake Saturday

Be sure to visit the Salisbury Farmer's Market on Saturday to get Homemade Strawberry Shortcake made with local berries from Eagle's Produce & Miller Produce.

 

Shortcake made by our Farmer's Market Bakers Emma & Kristine.

 

Served by Girl Scout Troop 535.

 

The cost is $5



Cooking from the Farmer's Market- Bok Choy

 

 

I will admit that just a few years ago I had no clue what Bok Choy was, how to cook it (did I even want to cook it) & how it would taste.

 

Through the years I have experimented with Bok Choy to see what we like & what we don't like.  My old stand by recipe of course is to roast the Bok Choy.

It doesn't take many ingredients.  I just use Kosher salt, Olive oil & Pepper.

Spread the Bok Choy that you have tossed with salt, olive oil & pepper in a single layer on a baking sheet.  

Roast at 400 degrees until leaves are crispy & begin to blacken.

Bok Choy courtesy of Correll Farms

Famer's Market Bounty

I guess what they say is true.....great minds think alike.

 

Since the Farmer's Market is back in full swing I had decided I was going to post every week about something I had gotten at the Farmer's Market & how I prepared it.

 

Our good friend Deirdre Parker Smith beat me to it.  Check out her story in the Salisbury Post about fresh, local food from the Farmer's Market.

 

 

 

Come back tomorrow & I will tempt you with my Roasted Bok Choy recipe.

Stuffed Peppers WTF Style

Most Saturdays at the Farmer's Market I am giving out recipes that I use in my own kitchen.  Since like most of you I am busy working mom I need quick & simple recipes. This isn't one of my quickest recipes but it is so good...and it uses things that you will find at the Farmer's Market (maybe not next week but soon).

 

 

I started with WTF Cajun Sausage which I remove from the casings but you could use any of our sausages.

Next, I browned the meat & cooked some rice.

 

The bell peppers that I used  this time had been frozen from last year but you can also use fresh bell peppers.  I suggest boiling them about 5-7 minutes.

 

I also used tomatoes that I had canned from last summer.

 

 

I mixed the cooked Cajun sausage, cooked rice & tomatoes together & then stuffed  the bell peppers.  I always have extra "stuffing" so I place it in my glass baking dish & then nestle the peppers in the meat mixture.  Don't forget to add some cheese.

 

I then cook at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes



Then they come out of the oven looking like this! Yum!!



WTF News- May 9th

Happy Friday!

 

Happy Mother's Day to all of our WTF Moms out there.  Come on out to the markets and treat your mom to some WTF goodies.

 

It looks like tomorrow is going to be another nice day to come out to the markets!

 

Davidson Farmers Market 8am-Noon 

 

Salisbury Farmers Market  8-Noon -  We're still at the parking lot across from the library this year

 

 

We're restocked on our delicious German & Beer Brats, & Smoked Anduilee

 

Come try our new hot chorizo at the market tomorrow.  We have a limited quantity so get it while we got it.

 

Don't forget to stock up on our smoked Polish and Maple Breakfast Links while we have them. THEY ARE GETTING TO BE IN SHORT SUPPLY SO STOCK UP NOW

 

 

 

 

There are lots of cool things going on in the next couple weeks that Wild Turkey Farms is participating in

 

 

The Bread Riot's Annual Riot in The Pasture May 18 3-7pm at Morgan Ridge Vineyards - Another great family day of local food & fun.  www.breadriot.org

 

 

Wild Turkey Farms Poultry Processing Workshop- May 22 4-7pm-  We are working with Rowan Cooperative Extension to host a hands on workshop on processing chickens on the farm.  We'll cover the regulations, equipment, & techniques needed to slaughter & sell chickens from your farm.  This will be hands on with very limited space and is only $20.  To reserve a spot at the workshop call Rowan Cooperative Extension office 704-216-8970 by May 19.

 

SAVE THE DATE Sunday June 29 & make plans to attend the 1st annual Bacon & Brews Cruise In at Atherton.  Come out and watch Chefs, Brewmasters, & Car Enthusiasts Compete to see who can bring home the bacon.  More details to come.  

 

For our Charlotte Peeps- Don't forget that we are keeping some items stocked at Greeneman Farms in the 7th Street Market.  They usually keep a variety of WTF products including our sausages, hotdogs, ham steaks, and chicken.  There are also a few nice racks of WTF lamb & some fresh rosemary sprigs down there that would make an excellent dinner for someone.  If they don't keep what you want in stock, we'll be glad to drop off an order for you there so you can pick it up at your convenience.  

 

Don't forget to check out our Wild Turkey Farms Facebook page and "like" us to get the most up to date info.

    

 

We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.

300 East- Charlotte

Greeneman Farms @ 7th Street Market- Charlotte

Pure Pizza @ 7th St Market - Charlotte

Whiskey Warehouse- Charlotte

Fork- Cornelius

Napa On Providence - Charlotte

The Asbury at The Dunhill Hotel- Charlotte

The Wineshop at Foxcroft- Charlotte

The Pickled Peach- Davidson

Heirloom- Charlotte

The Prickly Pear- Mooresville

 

Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

 

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie

Wild Turkey Farms LLC

China Grove, NC

This Little Piggy!

Just becuase this little piggy is cute!

Happy Cinco De Mayo

In honor of Cinco De Mayo I decided to share one of our all-time favorite meals at the WTF house!

 

First, you start with WTF chorizo (we now have HOT chorizo for those of you that like a little more heat!).

 

Just cook up the chorizo, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, spread out your tortilla chips & cover with chorizo & your other favorite toppings.

Chorizo & Chips

 

Our nachos include WTF Chorizo, Correll Farms lettuce, Funky Pepper Salsa, along with cheese & sour cream.

WTF Nachos

 

 

The chorizo is already seasoned so there is no need to add anything to it.  It is also good for tacos, burritos or to go along with some WTF eggs for breakfast.



WTF News- May 3, 2014

Happy Friday!

 

We hope that our newsletter finds all of you and your families safe and sound after the terrible weather that some areas experienced this week.

 

 

It looks like tomorrow is going to be another nice day to come out to the markets!

 

Davidson Farmers Market 8am-Noon 

 

Salisbury Farmers Market  8-Noon -  We're still at the parking lot across from the library this year

 

 

We're restocked on our delicious German & Beer Brats, Smoked Anduilee, and Smoked Bacon.  

 

Come try our new hot chorizo at the market tomorrow.  We have a limited quantity so get it while we got it.

 

Don't forget to stock up on our smoked Polish and Maple Breakfast Links while we have them. 

 

 

 

 

There are lots of cool things going on in the next couple weeks that Wild Turkey Farms is participating in

 

All Day Tomorrow- EARTH DAY JAM at Saving Grace Farm in Salisbury- Natty Greene's Beer is again sponsoring this great day of local food, brews, and music.    www.earthdayjamnc.com

 

 

The Bread Riot's Annual Riot in The Pasture May 18 3-7pm at Morgan Ridge Vineyards - Another great family day of local food & fun.  www.breadriot.org

 

 

Wild Turkey Farms Poultry Processing Workshop- May 22 4-7pm-  We are working with Rowan Cooperative Extension to host a hands on workshop on processing chickens on the farm.  We'll cover the regulations, equipment, & techniques needed to slaughter & sell chickens from your farm.  This will be hands on with very limited space and is only $20.  To reserve a spot at the workshop call Rowan Cooperative Extension office 704-216-8970 by May 19.

 

 

 

For our Charlotte Peeps- Don't forget that we are keeping some items stocked at Greeneman Farms in the 7th Street Market.  They usually keep a variety of WTF products including our sausages, hotdogs, ham steaks, and chicken.  There are also a few nice racks of WTF lamb & some fresh rosemary sprigs down there that would make an excellent dinner for someone.  If they don't keep what you want in stock, we'll be glad to drop off an order for you there so you can pick it up at your convenience.  

 

Don't forget to check out our Wild Turkey Farms Facebook page and "like" us to get the most up to date info.

    

 

We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.

300 East- Charlotte

Greeneman Farms @ 7th Street Market- Charlotte

Pure Pizza @ 7th St Market - Charlotte

Whiskey Warehouse- Charlotte

Fork- Cornelius

Napa On Providence - Charlotte

The Asbury at The Dunhill Hotel- Charlotte

The Wineshop at Foxcroft- Charlotte

The Pickled Peach- Davidson

Heirloom- Charlotte

The Prickly Pear- Mooresville

 

Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

 

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie

Wild Turkey Farms LLC

China Grove, NC